by Rex Wockner
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
In adopting its annual report on Macedonia's progress toward joining the European Union, the European Parliament on April 7 told the nation to legally ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Such a ban is a requirement of EU membership.
The parliament called for "the swift alignment of national provisions in this field with (EU law) and for strengthening of the monitoring mechanisms."
MEP Ulrike Lunacek, co-president of the parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights, said: "Nondiscrimination is a fundamental right in the EU. Macedonia must stop averting its eyes from minorities, and provide full protection to all citizens without exception."
Intergroup Co-President Michael Cashman added: "There is literally no way around this. Entering the European Union will require amending the anti-discrimination law."
